"Vassal Gaming - What Is It and How Does It Work?" Topic

Hmmm, I occasionally see some rules mentioned as being available on Vassal, but know really nothing about the system.

What is it, how does it work, what equipment do I need to use it, AND can it be used for two or multi-player games, remotely?

I have the impression it is primarily set up for electronic, solo play using a computer or laptop, but don't really know for sure.

Can you also use it on a tablet?

Does Vassal handle any die rolling, or card drawing mechanisms too?

It is designed primarily for board games as you need a "module" for your game. So if you want to play, say, D-Day the old Avalon Hill game, it will have electronic counters, maps and charts.

vassalengine.org

I don't think you can run it from a tablet. There isn't an Android version and I don't think it would run on an iPad.

You can connect to a server for remote real-time games or play by email by sending log files. There is a way to do multi-player games, but I've only used it for solo or two-player games. It has a die roller built in. There are modules for the Command & Colors games, so it can handle cards and special dice.

I would recommend checking the list of modules on the website. I think it is pretty impressive. The quality of modules will vary, but there are some good ones there. There are some, like Tonnage War, that are only published through VASSAL.

Thanks for the replies and info.

I appreciate them.

A pity it/they can't be run on a tablet, since that would seem to be ideal.

I play Combat Commander Europe in real time against players around the world using vassal. It handles the card draw and shuffles the deck etc. But otherwise it's just an electronic version of the maps, cards, pieces. You still need to own/know the rules, move the pieces etc. The program has no AI. I use Discord to talk to my opponent in real time. But you could use Skype etc. it's good once you get used to it. Another good program is Tabletop Simulator on Steam.

If you have a table look at the Roll20 website or TableTop Simulator on steam.

Basic Roll20 is free on PCs but may require a subscription on a tablet (there are subscription functionality on it too). Unlike vassal it does not require setting up a game room – instead you can drag and drop images onto the "map" and start using them as miniatures right away.

TableTop Simulator – I thought I heard it runs on a tablet but I do not know for sure.

That should be "if you have a tablet"

For those interested, Tabletop Simulator is apparently half off on Steam rught now.